of police and the city physician. The determination to
annihilate the dens which had been protected so long was caused in part
by the high crime of bringing back a girl who had escaped to another
city, to compel her to work out a debt in one of the dives of Des
Moines. We are indebted for these articles to The Light, published at La
Crosse, Wisconsin, by B. S. Steadwell.

THE NIGHTMARE ENDED IN DES MOINES.

By J. L. Hamery, Superintendent, Department of Public Safety.

Of all the cities of the United States, Des Moines stands today a bright
and shining example of the utter fallacy of the "segregation" idea.
Practiced more or less openly for twenty years or more, now, after a few
months of freedom, the past seems like a nightmare, which it is
impossible to believe will ever be tolerated in this city again.

In a short paper, hurriedly prepared, it will be impossible to give much
more than general statements of opinion. We have affidavits, statistics
of arrest, opinions of high-class citizens, opinions of independent
investigators from other states, statements from experience by police
officials and city physicians to support the following:

Segregation, as applied to prostitution, is but another term for
"incubation."

Segregation is the nucleus and backbone of the White Slave Traffic.

Segregation provides a resort, refuge and hiding place for criminals and
thugs of every description.

Segregation is affiliated with gambling, bootlegging, opium and cocaine
joints.

Segregation, with its red lights, its music, the painted women in the
windows, etc., provides an educational feature for school children and
students, the possibilities of which can be better imagined than
described.

Segregation could never be made to completely segregate, but rather,
provided a center from which prostitution radiated in every direction
like a cancer.

Segregation makes its baleful influence felt in business and politics
and is a direct factor in all the criminal influence of a large city.

All the open and recognized houses of prostitution in the city of Des
Moines were suppressed by a general police order issued September 8,
1908. With the exception of two police captains, one of whom is now
chief of police, the order was criticized by the body of police and
especially by the then chief; it was opposed by city officials; public
sentiment made no especial demand for it, to say the least, and it was
freely prophesied that th